No decent company but ok for junior - Junior Trader AKUNA CAPITAL Employee Review

1.0
8 Sept 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Spend a lot of money on expansion. I felt happy for the first 3 months and learnt a lot of useful things on options and market making.

Cons

No very technical and quantitative driven firm. Focus too much on expansion but less on how to keep people.Compensation is not good at all compared to its Chicago peers. You can see old people leave and new people in from time to time. High turn over.

Explore other reviews about AKUNA CAPITAL

5.0
11 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The Training: Still one of the best "Trader 101" programs in the industry. The focus on options theory and market making is rigorous. The People: You’re surrounded by high-IQ quants and devs. Low ego at the junior level. Perks: baristas, great views, and a casual "wear what you want" culture that isn’t just PR.

Cons

Meritocratic (mostly): PnL speaks. If your desk makes money, you’re generally left alone to build. Cons: * Opacity: Bonus calculations and career progression feel like a black box. There’s a noticeable "inner circle" culture at the top. Work-Life Volatility: It’s prop trading, so hours are expected, but the "always-on" expectation for global shifts can be taxing without the commensurate pay bump seen elsewhere.

4.0
4 Jul 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Strong quantitative culture, smart colleagues, and meaningful exposure to options market making and trading problems. The work can be technically interesting and gives researchers ownership over models, signals, and Work-life balance can vary significantly depending on team and market conditions. The environment may feel intense, and communication or mentorship can depend heavily on the specific desk, manager, and business priorities.strategy development.

Cons

Compensation may be below expectations. Project ownership can also be limited depending on the team, with some researchers having less autonomy over direction, prioritization, or long-term strategy development.

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